Barbados

The Barbados Port Inc. Yacht Captain's Guide (2026 revision) describes yacht clearance on arrival in Bridgetown and at Port St. Charles. Before approaching Bridgetown, the master should contact Signal Station on VHF 12, report the vessel's name and ETA, and wait for instructions to enter. The guide and port charges may be updated; consult the latest edition and confirm arrangements with the port before sailing.

Barbados Port Inc.'s guide lists Bridgetown Harbour and Port St. Charles as the only ports where yachts can clear in and out. It also says yachts must complete arrival clearance with local authorities before proceeding to an anchorage. On arrival, enter the designated berth as directed by Signal Station.

The yacht guide recommends that larger yachts and race vessels complete arrival formalities in advance and submit required yacht details through the Barbados Maritime Single Window so the port can process them ahead of time. On arrival in Bridgetown, contact Signal Station on VHF 12, report the vessel's name and ETA, and wait for permission to enter and berth instructions. Confirm current documents and timing requirements with the port company or an agent in advance.

According to the Barbados Port Inc. yacht guide, for a yacht that has not been pre-cleared, Immigration requires two crew lists and the passports of everyone aboard when processing arrival. Visa and entry eligibility depend on each person's nationality and status. The government's visitor page also provides general entry information and online forms, but it has not been confirmed that its procedures for air travellers also apply to yacht crew. Check with Immigration or a local agent before departure.

For an arrival under the 2026 guide, a yacht that has not been pre-cleared should have three C61 forms, departure clearance from the previous port, and one crew list ready for Customs; vessel and people details should be available for inspection. For departure, the guide lists port outward-clearance documents, a crew list, and passports for all crew. These items do not explain the temporary-import or cruising-permit rules for every vessel type. Confirm those matters with Customs or an agent.

Yacht arrival clearance involves the Health Department; for vessels without pre-clearance, the guide asks for one health report. Barbados' agriculture department says animals and animal products are subject to import health and quarantine rules. Plants, plant products, and other regulated goods may require advance import permits and inspection or treatment. Before arrival, declare pets, plants, agricultural products, and related items to the agriculture, veterinary, or quarantine authorities, and confirm requirements for food aboard and waste disposal.

Barbados government regulations list weapons and ammunition as restricted imports requiring a permit under the Firearms Act. Items controlled by other laws may also need additional permits. The official regulations index is not a concise yacht-specific list; before carrying firearms, ammunition, medicines, plants, or other special items, confirm declaration, permits, and onboard-storage requirements with Customs and the relevant authority.

When approaching Bridgetown, call Signal Station on VHF 12, report the vessel's name and ETA, and wait for permission to enter and berth instructions. Do not proceed to an anchorage before clearance. The guide lists arrival office hours as 06:00–22:00 daily; outside these hours, follow port instructions on waiting or berthing. After arrival clearance, obtain permission from the Customs boarding officer and Harbour Master’s Office before coastal cruising or anchoring elsewhere. Anchorage in Carlisle Bay is also subject to port rules.

Barbados Port Inc.'s guide directs users to its current charges page for applicable port fees. Departure requires port and national outward clearance, and an official receipt should be obtained. Some yacht charges in the guide may be revised and should not be treated as fixed prices. Before leaving, confirm charges for the vessel's size, time berthed, and services used, and check required departure-clearance documents and their validity with the port or an agent.